The session begins on the first working day of April. Pre-Nursery and Playway run on the same school-day pattern — Playway with activities and care suited to the youngest; Pre-Nursery with a bit more structure. We recommend children who are three or older; we sometimes take a child from two, case by case, after meeting the parents.
Class runs 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM (Saturdays too for this age group). We do not run a school meal programme — send tiffin and a water bottle from home. We do not expect reading or writing. English is used in class; if your child speaks only Hindi at home, that is fine — we will teach and nudge gently. Do not drill the alphabet at home.
What to send every day
Water bottle, tiffin, spare set of clothes, handkerchief. If the child is not fully potty-trained, pack diapers and wipes in a small hygiene kit — the staff will help, but we need the supplies. Label the bag and bottle with the child’s full name. A comfort toy from home is allowed in Pre-Nursery. Uniform is expected from day one; if stitching is late, we allow the first week in neat regular clothes while you sort it.
Please stop sending instant noodles, heavy packaged snacks, or an empty tiffin with no food. I say this every year. A hungry child cannot settle. Fresh, simple food they can open themselves (or with minimal help) is enough.
Drop-off and pickup
On the first days, parents may come inside with the child. Hand over to the maid or aunty on the Pre-Nursery floor — she receives them into the room. Keep the goodbye short: a hug, tell them you will be back at 12:30, leave. Do not sneak away. Some children settle the same day; others need two or three weeks — both happen. If the child is still crying every day after two weeks, speak to the class teacher or come to the office; we will talk it through and decide the next steps together. Be on time at pickup; a child left waiting gets harder to send the next morning. Van children follow the same bag and handoff rules; the van staff will coordinate with the class.
When to keep your child home
If the child has a fever, keep them at home until they are well. Call the office so we know they are absent. Do not send a tired or unwell child to sit in Pre-Nursery for the morning — it is unfair to them and to the class.
Before April — at home
Shift wake-up and breakfast so you can reach school by 8:00 AM — start two weeks ahead. Practise opening the water bottle and tiffin box. Velcro shoes and elastic waistbands — belts and lace-ups slow everyone down at toilet time. Ten or fifteen minutes sitting with crayons or blocks, then putting them away, is enough preparation; not flashcards.
How we stay in touch
Homework and class notes go in the school diary. Holidays, fee reminders, and general updates go on WhatsApp. Call the office for urgent matters — the child is unwell, has been absent several days, or fees are overdue. Do not raise daily worries in the WhatsApp group; speak to the class teacher privately.